Packing case for flashlights

ABSTRACT

A packing case includes a front cover, a back case hingedly connected to the front cover and a shell. A first cavity to receive a flashlight, a second cavity to receive a AC/DC converter, a third cavity to receive a plug-in cigarette lighter and a fourth cavity to receive other accessories are provided in the back case. The top end of the front cover is arc shaped, wherein a front cover handle edge forms a front cover handle opening on the top portion of the front cover. The upper end of the back case is arc shaped, wherein a back case handle edge forms a back case handle opening on the upper portion of the back case corresponding to the front cover handle openings. The shell is placed between the front cover and the back case, wherein the shell body penetrates the front cover opening and extends from the front cover forward for receiving the front portion of the flashlight. The front cover handle edge extends forward and backward from the front cover flat surface, wherein front cover handle blocks are intervally formed on the front cover handle edge, wherein the back case handle edge extends forward from the back case body surface, wherein back case handle blocks are intervally formed on the back case handle edge, wherein the front cover handle blocks and back case handle blocks can be locked with each other, whereby the front cover handle edge and the back case handle edge form a handle. The packing case is provided to store flashlight and other accessories used in vehicles or for other daily use.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority to ChineseApplication No. 200420045909.0, filed May 14, 2004, incorporated hereinby reference in its entirely.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a packing case, and more particularlyto a packing case for flashlights and/or other accessories for dailyuse.

2. Description of Related Arts

Flashlights are frequently used for outdoor lighting, so they are oftenplaced in a vehicle, along with accessories such as AC/DC converters,plug-in cigarette lighters. Conventionally, these objects are scatteredin the vehicle separately and hard to find and not good for the best useof the spaces and these items. The special shape and size of theflashlight make it difficult to be placed in a defined space in thevehicle without rolling around and damage itself especially when thevehicle is in motion.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a packingcase for storing and carrying flashlights and accessories such as AC/DCconverters and plug-in cigarette lighters

To achieve the objective described above, a packing case according tothe present invention comprises a front cover, a back case, a shell,wherein the front cover is basically a flat surface, and the front coverinner edge forms a front cover opening with a shape of flashlight crosssection. The top end of the front cover is arc shaped, wherein a frontcover handle edge forms a front cover handle opening on the top portionof the front cover. The back case is hingedly connected to the frontcover and comprises four cavities extended backward: a first cavity forreceiving the back portion of the flashlight, a second cavity forreceiving the AC/DC converter, a third cavity for receiving the plug-incigarette lighter, and a fourth cavity for receiving miscellaneousitems. The upper end of the back case is arc shaped, wherein a back casehandle edge forms a back case handle opening on the upper portion of theback case corresponding to the front cover handle opening. The shell isplaced between the front cover and the back case, and comprises a shellbody and a shell edge, wherein the shell body penetrates the front coveropening and extends from the front cover forward for receiving the frontportion of the flashlight. The shell body and the first cavity form afirst compartment for containing the flashlight; a part of the frontcover and the second cavity form a second compartment for containing theAC/DC converter; a part of the front cover and the third cavity form athird compartment for containing the plug-in cigarette lighter; and apart of the front cover and the fourth cavity form a fourth compartmentfor containing other accessories.

A hinge is connected to the bottom end of the front cover and the lowerportion of the back case, on the side of the front cover and the backcase respectively.

The cross sections of the second cavity, and the third cavity are inrectangular shapes respectively. The second cavity, the third cavity andfourth cavity extend backward at the same depth as the first cavity. Thecross section of the fourth cavity is in trapezium shape.

The front cover handle edge bends and extends backward from the frontcover flat surface, wherein multiple front cover handle blocks areintervally formed on the front cover handle edge. The back case handleedge extends forward from the back case body surface, wherein multipleback case handle blocks are intervally formed on the back case handleedge, wherein the front cover handle blocks and back case handle blockscan be locked with each other, whereby the front cover handle edge andthe back case handle edge will form a handle.

Accordingly, the packing case of the present invention has the followingadvantages:

-   -   1. The flashlights can be easily carried.    -   2. The AC/DC converters, plug-in cigarette lighters and other        accessories often used in the vehicles can be stored.    -   3. The flashlights will be protected from damages caused by        impact forces in the vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a closed packing case for aflashlight of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the packing case for a flashlight of thepresent invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one preferred embodiment, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a packingcase for a flashlight according to the present invention comprises afront cover 1, a back case 2, and a shell 4, wherein the front cover 1is basically a flat surface, wherein a front cover inner edge forms afront cover opening 12 with a shape of the cross section of aflashlight. The top end of the front cover is arc shaped, wherein afront cover handle edge forms a front cover handle opening 14 on the topportion of the front cover. The back case 2 is connected with frontcover 1 by a hinge 3, and comprises four cavities extended backward: afirst cavity 20 for receiving the back portion of the flashlight 5, asecond cavity 22 for receiving the AC/DC converter 6, a third cavity 24for receiving the plug-in cigarette lighter 7, and a fourth cavity 26for receiving miscellaneous items. The upper end of the back case 2 isarc shaped, wherein a back case handle edge forms a back case handleopening 28 on the upper portion of the back case corresponding to thefront cover handle opening 14. The shell 4 comprises a shell body 42 anda shell edge, and is placed between the front cover 1 and the back case2, wherein the shell body 42 penetrates the front cover opening 12 andextends from the front cover 1 forward for receiving the front portionof the flashlight. The shell body 42 and the first cavity 20 form afirst compartment for containing the flashlight; a part of the frontcover 1 and the second cavity 22 form a second compartment forcontaining the AC/DC converter; a part of the front cover 1 and thethird cavity 24 form a third compartment for containing the plug-incigarette lighter; and a part of the front cover 1 and the fourth cavity26 form a fourth compartment for containing other accessories.

The hinge 3 is connected to the bottom end of the front cover 1 and theback case 2, or to one side of the front cover 1 and the back case 2respectively. The cross sections of the second cavity 22 and the thirdcavity 24 are in rectangular shapes respectively, the cross section ofthe fourth cavity 26 is in trapezium shape. The second cavity 22, thethird cavity 24 and fourth cavity 26 extend backward at the same depthas the first cavity 20, therefore when the packing case is placed insidethe car on its back, the packing case will not be rolling. The hinge 3can be any mechanism that can be connected to front cover 1 and backcase 2 and allow the front cover 1 and back case 2 rotate from eachother.

In one alternative embodiment, the front cover outer edge of the frontcover 1 comprises a front cover outer locking edge. The back case outeredge of the back case 2 comprises a back case outer locking edge,wherein the front cover outer edge and back case outer edge match eachother and can be locked and unlocked by the locking edge. The frontcover outer locking edge and the back case outer locking edge comprisefront cover outer blocks and the back case outer blocks similar to thefront cover handle blocks and the back case handle blocks respectively.Other similar mechanisms can also be used for the front cover outerlocking edge and the back case outer locking edge.

The front cover handle edge forming the front cover handle opening 14bends and extends backward from the front cover 1 flat surface, whereinmultiple front cover handle blocks 142 are intervally formed on thefront cover handle edge and away from the front over handle opening 14.The back case upper portion comprises a handle cavity 29, wherein theback case handle edge forms the back case handle opening 28 and bendsand extends forward from the back case 2 body surface and handle cavity29, wherein multiple back case handle blocks 282 are intervally formedon the back case handle edge away from the back case handle opening 28,wherein the front cover handle blocks 142 and back case handle blocks282 can be locked together and unlocked, wherein when the front coverhandle blocks 142 and back case handle blocks 282 are locked together,the front cover handle edge and the back case handle edge are joinedwith each other and become the inner portion of a handle, and the arcshaped top end of the cover 1 and the arc shaped upper end of the backcase 2 are joined with each other and become the top portion of thehandle. The front cover hand blocks 142 and back case handle blocks 282can be any means that can be locked and unlocked with each other.

When using the packing case, rotate the front cover 1 away from the backcase 2, in order to put the back part of the flashlight into the firstcavity 20. Cover the front part of the flashlight with the shell body42, then rotate the front cover 1 back towards back case 2, wherein theshell body 42 penetrates the front cover opening 12 and extends forwardfrom the front cover 1 surface. Lock the front cover handle blocks 142with the back case handle blocks 282 together, the front cover handleedge and the back case handle edge are joined with each other and becomethe inner portion of the handle, and the front cover handle openingoverlaps with the back case handle opening. Put a hand through the frontcover handle opening and the back case handle opening, and hold thehandle, the packing case can be carried around. Before closing thepacking case, the AC/DC converter 6 can be put into the second cavity22, the plug-in cigarette lighter 7 can be put into cavity 24, and otheraccessories can be put into cavity 26. When the front cover handleblocks 142 and the back case handle blocks 282 are locked together, thefront cover 1, the back case 2, and the shell 4 are locked together sothe flashlight, the AC/DC converter, the plug-in cigarette lighter, andother accessories are securely enclosed in the packing case. Unlock thefront cover handle blocks 142 and the back case handle blocks 282, thefront cover 1 can be rotated away from the back case 2, and the shellcan be take out, and then the flashlight, the AC/DC converter, theplug-in cigarette lighter, and other accessories can be taken out. Insummary, the packing case can easily carry the flashlights, and storethe AC/DC converters, the plug-in cigarette lighters and otheraccessories, and in the meantime the flashlight will be protectedagainst damages caused by impact forces.

Alternatively, the hinge 3 can be provided at the sides of the frontcover 1 and the back case 2 respectively instead of at the bottom endsof the front 1 and the back case 2.

Alternatively, the cross section of the cavity 26 can be rectangleinstead of trapezoid.

The present invention can be used to store and carry other accessorieswith similar shape and/or usage as the flashlights, AC/DC converters,plug-in cigarette lighters, etc. These and other objectives andadvantages of the present invention will become apparent from thedetailed description provided herein below. However, it should beunderstood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating preferred embodiments of the present invention, are given byway of illustration only, since various changes and modifications withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from this detailed description.

1. A packing case for storing and carrying a flashlight, comprises: afront cover; a back case; and a shell; wherein a front cover inner edgeforms a front cover opening with a shape of the cross section of theflashlight, and the top end of the front cover is in arc shape, and afront cover handle edge forms a front cover handle opening on the topportion of the front cover; wherein the back case is hingedly connectedto the front cover and comprises a first cavity for receiving the backpart of the flashlight; a second cavity for receiving the AC/DCconverter; a third cavity for receiving the plug-in cigarette lighter;and a fourth cavity for receiving miscellaneous items; wherein the firstcavity, the second cavity, the third cavity, and the fourth cavityextend backward; wherein the upper end of the back case is in arc shape,wherein a back case handle edge forms a back case handle opening on theupper portion of the back case corresponding to the front cover handleopening; wherein the shell comprises a shell body and a shell edge,wherein the shell is placed between the front cover and the back case,wherein the shell body penetrates the front cover opening and extendsfrom the front cover forward for receiving the front part of theflashlight.
 2. The packing case, as recited in claim 1, wherein saidfront cover is connected to the back case by a hinge.
 3. The packingcase, as recited in claim 2, wherein said hinge is on the bottom ends ofthe front cover and the back case.
 4. The packing case, as recited inclaim 2, wherein said hinge is on one side of the front cover and theback case correspondingly.
 5. The packing case, as recited in claim 1,wherein the cross sections of the second cavity and the third cavity arein rectangular shapes respectively, and the cross section of the fourthcavity is in trapezium shape, wherein the second cavity, the thirdcavity and fourth cavity extend backward at the same depth as the firstcavity.
 6. The packing case, as recited in claim 2, wherein the crosssections of the second cavity and the third cavity are in rectangularshapes respectively, and the cross section of the fourth cavity is intrapezium shape, wherein the second cavity, the third cavity and fourthcavity extend backward at the same depth as the first cavity.
 7. Thepacking case, as recited in claim 3, wherein the cross sections of thesecond cavity and the third cavity are in rectangular shapesrespectively, and the cross section of the fourth cavity is in trapeziumshape, wherein the second cavity, the third cavity and fourth cavityextend backward at the same depth as the first cavity.
 8. The packingcase, as recited in claim 4, wherein the cross sections of the secondcavity and the third cavity are in rectangular shapes respectively, andthe cross section of the fourth cavity is in trapezium shape, whereinthe second cavity, the third cavity and fourth cavity extend backward atthe same depth as the first cavity.
 9. The packing case, as recited inclaim 5, wherein the cross section of the fourth cavity is in trapeziumshape.
 10. The packing case, as recited in claim 6, wherein the crosssection of the fourth cavity is in trapezium shape.
 11. The packingcase, as recited in claim 7, wherein the cross section of the fourthcavity is in trapezium shape.
 12. The packing case, as recited in claim8, wherein the cross section of the fourth cavity is in trapezium shape.13. The packing case, as recited in claim 1, wherein the front coverhandle edge bends and extends backward from the front cover flatsurface, wherein multiple front cover handle blocks are intervallyformed on the front cover handle edge, wherein the back case handle edgebends and extends forward from the back case body surface, whereinmultiple back case handle blocks are intervally formed on the back casehandle edge, wherein when the front cover handle blocks and back casehandle blocks match with each other and can be locked together, wherebythe front cover handle edge and the back case handle edge form a handle,whereby the front cover 1, the back case 2 and the shell are lockedtogether.
 14. The packing case, as recited in claim 2, wherein the frontcover handle edge bends and extends backward from the front cover flatsurface, wherein multiple front cover handle blocks are intervallyformed on the front cover handle edge, wherein the back case handle edgebends and extends forward from the back case body surface, whereinmultiple back case handle blocks are intervally formed on the back casehandle edge, wherein when the front cover handle blocks and back casehandle blocks match with each other and can be locked together, wherebythe front cover handle edge and the back case handle edge are form ahandle, whereby the front cover 1, the back case 2 and the shell arelocked together.
 15. The packing case, as recited in claim 3, whereinthe front cover handle edge bends and extends backward from the frontcover flat surface, wherein multiple front cover handle blocks areintervally formed on the front cover handle edge, wherein the back casehandle edge bends and extends forward from the back case body surface,wherein multiple back case handle blocks are intervally formed on theback case handle edge, wherein when the front cover handle blocks andback case handle blocks match with each other and can be lockedtogether, whereby the front cover handle edge and the back case handleedge form a handle, whereby the front cover 1, the back case 2 and theshell are locked together.
 16. The packing case, as recited in claim 1,wherein the front cover handle edge bends and extends backward from thefront cover flat surface, wherein multiple front cover handle blocks areintervally formed on the front cover handle edge, wherein the back casehandle edge bends and extends forward from the back case body surface,wherein multiple back case handle blocks are intervally formed on theback case handle edge, wherein when the front cover handle blocks andback case handle blocks match with each other and can be lockedtogether, whereby the front cover handle edge and the back case handleedge form a handle, whereby the front cover 1, the back case 2 and theshell are locked together.
 17. A packing case for storing and carryingmultiple items comprising: a front cover comprising a front cover inneredge forming a front cover opening, and a front cover outer edge; a backcase, comprising a first cavity, a second cavity, a third cavity, afourth cavity, and a back case outer edge; a shell comprising a shellbody and a shell edge; wherein the front cover outer edge and the backcase outer edge overlap with each other, and can be locked together andunlocked; wherein the shell are placed between the front cover and theback case, wherein the shell body penetrates the front cover opening andextends from the front cover forward, wherein the front cover outer edgeand the shell edge overlap with each other; wherein the shell body andthe first cavity form a first compartment; wherein the front cover andthe second cavity, the third cavity, and the fourth cavity form a secondcompartment, a third compartment, and a fourth compartment respectively.18. A packing case for storing and carrying multiple items comprising: afront cover comprising a front cover inner edge forming a front coveropening, and a front cover outer edge; a back case, comprising a firstcavity, a second cavity, a third cavity, a fourth cavity, and a backcase outer edge; a shell comprising a shell body and a shell edge;wherein the front cover and the back case are connected by a hinge atthe bottom end of the front cover outer edge and the back case outeredge; wherein the shell are placed between the front cover and the backcase, wherein the shell body penetrates the front cover opening andextends from the front cover forward, wherein the front cover outer edgeand the shell edge overlap with each other; wherein the shell body andthe first cavity form a first compartment; wherein the front cover andthe second cavity, the third cavity, and the fourth cavity form a secondcompartment, a third compartment, and a fourth compartment respectively.19. The packing case as claimed in claim 17, wherein the front coverfurther comprises a front cover handle edge forming a front cover handleopening on the top portion of the front cover, and the back case furthercomprises a back case handle edge forming a back case handle opening onthe upper portion of the back case, wherein the front cover handle edgeand back case handle edge match with each other and form a handle. 20.The packing case as claimed in claim 18, wherein the front cover furthercomprises a front cover handle edge forming a front cover handle openingon the top portion of the front cover, and the back case furthercomprises a back case handle edge forming a back case handle opening onthe upper portion of the back case, wherein the front cover handle edgefurther comprises multiple front cover handle blocks, and the back casehandle edge further comprises multiple back case handle blocks, whereinthe front cover handle blocks and the back case handle blocks match witheach other and can be locked with each other and form a handle.